2025: Reflect, Reset, and Be Realistic

Starting the New Year with a Clean Slate

There’s something intriguing about starting with a clean slate. Just the thought of it can inspire hope and spark the belief that change is possible! Creating change and clearing a path toward renewed goals is an exciting and very real possibility. Sometimes that means leaving the past in the past—out with the old and in with the new. But only if the old is no longer serving us well. Very often there are things about the past we should keep. Acknowledge lessons learned before moving on.

The Allure of Self-Improvement

As we ring in the New Year, we are flooded by suggestions for self-improvement. Just last week, my smartwatch challenged me to close my exercise ring for seven days straight in January in order to “earn a badge.”

I had to smile as I felt a twinge of motivation to accept the challenge in order to receive a virtual reward from my watch! Should I accomplish this small goal, my watch will not benefit—but I will.

Why not? I thought. Granted, my greatest motivation doesn’t come from my watch. Although it does give me some pretty important reminders during the day like “time to stand” and “time to breathe,” I’m not really competitive by nature nor am I a perfectionist. But I do like to challenge myself to do better.

Goals With Heart

Studies show that accomplished goals are those that have an emotion attached—those that tug at the heart a bit.

For example, one of my goals for 2025 is to exercise in the morning before I begin my day. The reason for this is that I find when I don’t, the day gets away from me, and I either exercise too late at night (which, for me, interferes with a good night’s sleep) or it doesn’t happen at all.

Breaking it down further:

• Why I exercise: To stay healthy because it’s an important component of overall wellness.
• Why I want to stay healthy: To have the energy I need to enjoy life to the fullest.
• What drives me emotionally: Celebrations like an upcoming family wedding.

Reflect, Reset, and Be Realistic

If making resolutions and setting goals is something you do every year with little success past February, believe that with a different approach, this year can be different.

Reflect

Reflecting on the bright spots of the previous year can be a great source of motivation. Even if there were fewer good times than bad, allow yourself to focus on those good times, putting aside what may have gone wrong.

Look at the not-so-good times, too. Drawing on lessons learned from both positive and negative experiences can truly propel you forward.

Reset

The clean slate of a new year invites us to set goals. Start with things you can control—and better health falls into that category.

Will you allow 2025 to make health choices for you as the year unfolds, or will you take control? Write down your goals. Create a progression of smaller steps that lead to a bigger goal. Keep previous goals that may just need adjusting.

Be Realistic

Get rid of the all-or-nothing attitude. Start where you are. Don’t compare your progress to that of others. Allow smaller goals to be stepping stones, and celebrate each victory!

Goals can be adjusted as needed. Progress over perfection—1% at a time. For instance, if your goal is to drink more water and you’re currently drinking 16 ounces a day, start with 18 ounces instead of jumping to 64.

Accept that you may slip up, and when you do, keep moving forward. Choose a sustainable, science-based path to better health.

Support and Gratitude

Blocking out negative voices—even your own—will help. Accountability helps. You don’t need to announce your goal to everyone; instead, choose a trusted partner who will be honest with you. Celebrate victories, no matter how small—even if it’s winning a smartwatch badge.

As the New Year rolls out an abundance of possibilities, practice gratitude for the year past and clear the way for new beginnings.

And if you don’t know where to start—start with your health.

Happy New Year! You can do this!

Meet the Author:
Hi - I'm JoAnn Begley, a Certified Nutrition, Healthh & Lifestyle Coach. As a former Family Caregiver and professional Caregiver Consultant, I know how difficult it is to take the fisrt step towards self care and how important it is to do so! My practice combines 25 years of holistic therapies with a simle lifestyle program rooted in the science of Body, Mind and Lifestyle 1% at a time.